anxiously
gb/ˈæŋkʃəsli/ us/ˈæŋkʃəsli/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B2
state
1
in a worried, nervous way
in a worried or nervous way
Usage pattern:
[someone] + [verb] + anxiously; anxiously + [verb/phrase]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use it where only “carefully” is meant; “anxiously” implies worry or nervousness.
Synonyms
nervously (Emphasizes nervousness rather than worry.)
|
worriedly (Directly highlights worry; often sounds slightly more literal.)
|
apprehensively (More formal; suggests fear about what may happen.)
Antonyms
calmly (Without worry or nervousness.)
|
confidently (With self-assurance rather than anxiety.)
Collocations
wait anxiously
|look anxiously
|watch anxiously
|glance anxiously
|ask anxiously
|wonder anxiously
|listen anxiously
|check anxiously
|smile anxiously
|anxiously at the door
Themes
emotions
|daily_life
Examples
- She waited anxiously for the doctor to call back.
- He glanced anxiously at the clock during the exam.
- They listened anxiously for any news from the airport.
Learner examples
- I am waiting anxiously for my results.
- She looked anxiously at her phone.
adverb
B2
state
2
with eager anticipation
very eager to know or get something (often a little worried too)
Usage pattern:
anxiously + [verb] (e.g., await/anticipate/expect)
Common mistake:
Learners may treat it as purely positive like “excitedly”; it usually includes tension or concern.
Synonyms
eagerly (More positive and energetic; less worried than “anxiously”.)
|
expectantly (Focuses on expectation rather than nervous tension.)
Antonyms
indifferently (Without interest or strong feeling.)
|
patiently (Calmly waiting without agitation.)
Collocations
anxiously await
|anxiously anticipate
|anxiously expect
|anxiously hope
|anxiously await news
|anxiously await a reply
|anxiously await the results
|anxiously await confirmation
Themes
emotions
|communication
|daily_life
Examples
- Fans anxiously awaited the announcement of the new tour dates.
- We anxiously anticipated the decision from the committee.
- He anxiously hoped his application would be accepted.
Learner examples
- I anxiously await your reply.
- She anxiously expected an email.
adverb
C1
state
3
showing unease through actions
in a way that shows you feel anxious
Usage pattern:
[someone] + [verb] + anxiously (e.g., pace/fidget/glance/look around)
Common mistake:
Don’t use it for neutral physical actions unless the context clearly shows worry (e.g., “walk anxiously” sounds odd without context).
Synonyms
restlessly (Focuses on inability to stay still; may not always imply worry.)
|
tensely (Emphasizes tension; can be physical or emotional.)
Antonyms
relaxedly (Showing ease and lack of tension.)
|
composedly (Calm and self-controlled in appearance.)
Collocations
pace anxiously
|fidget anxiously
|shift anxiously
|scan anxiously
|glance anxiously around
|anxiously wring (one's) hands
|anxiously bite (one's) lip
Themes
emotions
|body_language
Examples
- He paced anxiously outside the interview room.
- She spoke anxiously, as if expecting bad news.
- The child looked anxiously around for his mother.
Learner examples
- He paced anxiously in the hall.
Grammar
Dictionary form
anxiously
IPA
GB/ˈæŋkʃəsli/
US/ˈæŋkʃəsli/
Syllables & stress
anxiously (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (anxiously)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: anxiously
- Plural: anxiouslies
Word family
Expressions
anxiously await
1/ˈæŋkʃəsli əwˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
wait with worry or anticipation
to wait for something and feel worried or very eager
Examples
- We anxiously await your decision.
- Residents anxiously awaited updates about the storm.
- She anxiously awaited the exam results.
anxiously awaited
1/ˈæŋkʃəsli əwˈeɪtɪd/
fixed phrase
much anticipated (often nervously)
that people have been waiting for and really want to happen
Examples
- The anxiously awaited report was finally released.
- They made the anxiously awaited announcement on Monday.
- Her anxiously awaited reply arrived late at night.
check anxiously (for something)
1/t͡ʃˈɛk ˈæŋkʃəsli fɚ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
check repeatedly with worry
to check again and again because you feel worried or eager
Examples
- He checked his phone anxiously for a message.
- They checked anxiously for updates during the flight delays.
- I kept checking anxiously to see if the payment went through.
look anxiously (for/at someone or something)
1/lˈʊk ˈæŋkʃəsli fˈɔɹət sˈʌmwˌʌn ˈɔɹ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
look with worry
to look while feeling worried
Examples
- He looked anxiously for his passport in every pocket.
- She looked anxiously at the door when she heard footsteps.
- I looked anxiously around the platform for my friends.
wait anxiously (for something)
1/wˈeɪt ˈæŋkʃəsli fɚ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
wait nervously for something
to wait and feel worried
Examples
- They waited anxiously for the missing hiker to return.
- I’m waiting anxiously to hear if I got the job.
- Parents waited anxiously outside the school.
watch anxiously
1/wˈɔt͡ʃ ˈæŋkʃəsli/
fixed phrase
watch with worry
to watch and feel worried
Examples
- We watched anxiously as the firefighters entered the building.
- She watched anxiously while her son crossed the busy road.
- Investors watched anxiously for signs of a slowdown.